Bad Economy

[roadrocket]

I hope the rest of you are doing better than I am. Been out of work for a yr and a half. I've been saving for new plug wires for my 93 since xmas. Until then I pulled the tag and dropped the ins till it's back on the road.
In the construction Industry as an Electrician I have been replaced by our friends from S of the border who will work for a third of what I usually make.
And I'm too old to learn another gig.
I don't know how long it will take to get back on our feet or how much worse it will get till then but everything I have is for sale including both our Camaro's, some of the other items have been in the family a long time.
We set up a yard/garage sale a few months ago. Worked for days getting everything marked and set up. The sale ran 2 days and many people stopped by. We made a total of $4.75 for our efforts not counting what people helped themselves to when we weren't looking.
My wife makes custom Indian Jewelry so we paid a vendors fee for a 2 day event and couldn't even recover the fee.
I have never in my life qualified for food stamps but i am to the point not only do i qualify but am considering swallowing my pride and placing my ass in line.
I have a home that's worth at least $400k and thank goodness it's paid for, just have to worry about taxes and Insurance. Right now it's appraised at $130k because of the housing crisis.
Last yr i did ok with side work but that has even dried up. People have no money for repairs or additions.
Before you say get yer lazy ass to work doing anything you can, I would gladly clean toilets for min wage, but those jobs are taken as well.
As bad as it is there are those who've had it much worse.
It's sad to see people loose everything they've spent their lives working for.
People are getting desperate and some going off the deep end as the daily news confirms.
Yet the government does very little to close our borders or find real ways to create jobs after billions have been spent on nothing but lies.

Not really a rant, just facts.....Hang in there!

[hotrod96z28]

sorry to hear that man. Ive been laid off for 11 months now. you just got to stick in there and keep on living.
“Hey you, out there in the cold
Getting lonely, getting old
Can you feel me?
Hey you, standing in the aisles
With itchy feet and fading smiles
Can you feel me?
Hey you, dont help them to bury the light
Don't give in without a fight.”

[jaysz2893]

i spent from 2002 - 2006 laid off and doing odd jobs. No min wage places would take me. I tried all the places near me. Hell LOWES said i was "just going to bail" once i got a job back in my field. I would have been there atleat 3 years, and i spend enough money there...anyway My house was cheap cause i built most of it, but I would not dream of selling it now cause of the market. I have the cars, but the 56 chevy has been sitting because I lack the $20+ K to fully restore it. I finally started a business and it pays some times, but I am currently spending most days fighting with people I have contracted with to sell materials to. Apparently contracts mean nothing to larger businesses these days... hang in there man.

[BLK95-Z]

I work in new construction also, Ive been a glass man by trade for a little over 8 years and Ive never seen anything like this before. At work they laid everyone off except the "main guys" and they have even cut us back to 4 days a week. There used to be more work to do than could ever be done, now its far and in between. Its getting scary....

[MeanGreen94Z]

go get the food stamps man, better a person get them that needs them that the slack asses here that get them because they are too lazy to do a damn thing else but pop kids out and ruin our country...

[djjab57]

Have you thought about moving ? I know the housing industry has slowed every where but here in Houston they are still doing a lot of building. I guess the hit we took wasn't as bad as other places

[Ricehammer]

go get the food stamps man, better a person get them that needs them that the slack asses here that get them because they are too lazy to do a damn thing else but pop kids out and ruin our country...

I'll second this. God knows you've paid into it for years, so you may as well get some of it back when you need it the most. Best of luck to you and and your family. I hope you find something soon.

[95formula383lt1]

ive been laid off since, 6/20/08, finace an parents have been bitching telling me im not trying hard enough to find work. some ppl have yet to realize there is no work to be had. when there is, no matter what the job is theirs always someone better suited for the job. I just got a un expected unemployment extention its only going to last a lil over a month by im not going to complain. My mother and fathers house got foreclosed on and since they have been living under the same roof as I renting this place. My mother was able to find a job, dad was able to get disability. Im just a lil walk south of u road rocket in Port Charlotte. You may want to check out electrician jobs here i seen a few companys with a hiring sign on the back of there vans. you would prolly spend more in gas then ud make but still its a job. Hang in there get them food stamps and try to live it up the best u can.

[popo8]

My girl has been laid off for over a year now as well. SHe was the HR person where she worked. and she applies to jobs everyday. NOTHING, yet.

[tomsws6]

hey, My wife was out of work for about 2 1/2 yrs. first yr was due to us having our son and then our daughter after but she had tried and tried every month and it was probably no less than 30apps a month with no luck. It was ruff. she just got a job finally when they called out of the blue after 6 months with no communication. When I was unemployed a couple yrs ago WAWA even turned me down. they didnt even call! Look swallow your pride. These are hard times and your not the only one in this situation. Alot of us are. Go get the every assistance you can. YOU paid for it now use it.... And when you get back on your feet drop it. We had too. its sucks and your feel embarassed but you have to do what you have to do...